Guitar Music Theory

"Knights of Cydonia" by Muse is an epic rock anthem that blends various musical influences to create a unique and powerful listening experience. The song stands out for its grandiose and cinematic feel, drawing inspiration from progressive rock, space rock, and spaghetti westerns. In Episode 162 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I break the music down and explain how its puzzling chord changes follow a logical pattern.  

In episode 161 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about Hot For Teacher, multitracks, bass rigs, Funk #49, mastering songs, major and minor pentatonic, CAGED, hand soreness, Knights of Cydonia, and more. 

In episode 160 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I demonstrate a technique for improvisation over jam tracks, drawing inspiration from the iconic song "Refugee" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Leveraging guitar licks from renowned tracks like this can infuse your improvisations with creativity and flair, elevating your playing to new heights.

In episode 159 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I discuss every type of seventh chord and how to use it. Seventh chords are made when you extend a triad with an additional third. There are five qualities of seventh chords that appear in music. They are Major seven, Minor seven, Dominant seven, Minor seven flat five (a.k.a. Half diminished), and Diminished seven (also called fully diminished). I explain how these chords are built and which familiar guitar songs use them. I play songs from the Eagles, the Doobie Brothers, Garth Brooks, and more.

In Episode 158 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I discuss the harmonic minor scale and its use in familiar guitar songs. This includes common harmonic minor chord progressions and how to incorporate the scale in your lead lines and guitar solos. For more information, see my book Fretboard Theory Volume 2  or my video course Fretboard Theory Video Pro Pack.

In episode 157 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about the circle of fifths, playing left-handed, Squier guitar mods, playing and singing, intervals, and more. 

In episode 156, keyboardist Scott Sheriff and I break down the song "Biggest Part of Me" by Ambrosia. We talk about the chords used in this song and how they’re based on a chromatic line cliché and include various extensions common to jazz and R&B music.  ********************************* Scott's Links Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/0oLy2MY8Qdaq4epJzOdilz?si=67856935ae5d438c  Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/biggest-part-of-me/1732619282?i=1732619284  Classic Tribute Bands https://primrose-armadillo-xkwc.squarespace.com/  ********************************* Free Video Course

In episode 155 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about modes, major scale patterns, memorizing songs, effects pedals, foot tapping, Rocksmith, and the song "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette. #fretboardtheory #guitartheoryfordummies #desiserna

"Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses features prominent guitar work by Slash, including the iconic opening riff and memorable solos. The song uses the guitar scales D Mixolydian mode, E Aeolian mode, E harmonic minor, and E minor pentatonic. In this podast episode, I explain each scale and its use in this quintessential rock anthem.

Which guitar scales, amps, and effects does Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash use? Matt Reviere and I discuss Slash's style and break down his tone in episode 153 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast. 

Why does Keith Richards use open G tuning, what's the difference between a cheap and expensive acoustic guitar, should songs be memorized, and what are sus4 chords? Get answers to these questions and more in episode 152 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast. 

In episode 151 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, Carrie Underwood guitarist Matt Reviere and I talk about our favorite Christmas songs. We play together and analyze some holiday classics that are rich in music theory and composition techniques.

In my latest audio podcast, I answer listener questions about guitar modelers, PRS guitars, scales, beginner struggles, slide, Drop-D tuning, and playing acoustic guitar gigs.

Guitarists often use octave shapes to play rhythm guitar parts, riffs, and lead lines. In this podcast episode, I explain how octaves are formed on the guitar fretboard and which popular guitar songs use them.

Music with changes or accents that fall on something other than the most predictable beats is said to be syncopated. I discuss this in episode 148 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast. Listen to song examples from Neil Young, KT Tunstall, Herbie Hancock, Adele, and more.

In episode 147 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I interview Carrie Underwood keyboardist Scott Sheriff. Scott is a veteran touring musician who was also the musical director for Kenny Loggins and the bandleader for Steven Curtis Chapman. Scott has other projects on the side when he's not on the road, including the Huey Lewis & The News tribute act, The Heart of Rock and Roll. I recently began playing with this act and sharing the stage with Scott. This podcast talks about touring, playing live, arranging background vocals, music theory, our love of yacht rock music, and more. 

In episode 146 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about chord tones and extensions, the song White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane, playing with injuries and hand limitations, keeping track of measures while soloing, applying pentatonic scale patterns, reaquiring your chops after time off, and more.   

In episode 145 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I have another installment of How Does This  Song Work? featuring "Satellite" by Dave Matthews Band. I discuss the key, scale, chords, and progression, plus explain the 3/4 time signature.  View the video, tab, and neck diagrams on my website here: https://www.guitarmusictheory.com/dave-matthews-satellite-guitar-riff-tab/

Which scales should you learn if you want to play popular styles of music on guitar such as pop, rock, blues, and country? I tell you in this podcast episode and play examples from familiar songs.  

The ii chord in music is naturally minor, but here I explain how it often gets switched to major to produce a bright, uplifting sound. This happens in songs such as "Eight Days a Week," "American Girl," and others.  Watch the video version of this lesson on YouTube. https://youtu.be/JylyPkwhn34 Check out the song "Headin' to the Beach" by Carl Wayne Meekins. https://youtu.be/Lc3xvRHBJx